​​FRANK DAYKIN, PIANIST, is equally known as soloist, collaborative pianist, teacher, writer, and musicologist. His “The Encyclopedia of French Art Song: Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc” was published (Pendragon Press, May 2013), and has been acquired by over 235 institutions of musical higher learning thus far. In it, he shares the wealth of his forty-plus years as a vocal coach and recital partner. Daykin was fortunate to have lived in the time of Bernac, Souzay, and Ameling, often accompanying their master classes in the US and abroad. For some years, he was the assistant of Thomas Grubb, the renowned French song expert, in all his classes at the Manhattan School of Music, working with over 60 singers weekly. Daykin writes a bi-weekly arts blog; and he is a classical reviewer for the New York Concert Review. Daykin has four volumes of poetry published, numerous​selections having been set to music by contemporary composers. “Questions Remain: New Poems 2012/2013” (2014, CreateSpace), “Words Without Songs” (1992, Silver Hill Press), and “Islands” (1991, Silver Hill Press), and his most recent "I Have My Doubts" (copyright 2016, CreateSpace).

Daykin is particularly identified with the French piano and chamber music repertoire, having performed the complete solo piano works of Ravel on Ravel’s own piano at the Ravel house/museum in France. His 38-year partnership with Millette Alexander in piano duo performance has produced two award-winning recordings and a host of performances in the US and abroad, always to rave reviews. He continues with numerous chamber groups including the Adelphi Chamber Players, Ambrosia Trio and Gotham Trio. Currently, he is on the faculty of the Chamber Music Conference/Composers Forum of the East at Bennington, VT.

Decades of teaching experience have given him a fund of information that is always faithful to the music, while adding elements of humor and a supportive atmosphere that encourage learning. His master classes, in particular, often involve the spectators almost as much as the players.